YSU's recent renovations help process

AD Ron Strollo said the coaching job is more attractive than it was six years ago. By PETE MOLLICA VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF YOUNGSTOWN -- Ron Strollo sat back with a big smile on his face as he watched head basketball coaching candidate Michael Grant talk with the media on Tuesday. "He's exactly what I expected him to be," the Youngstown State athletic director said. "And you'll see more of the same from the next two applicants." Strollo has spent the past several months looking at candidates from across the country. He, with the help from a search committee, has whittled the job down from 54 applicants to three. Indiana University of Pennsylvania head coach Gary Edwards will be interviewed today while Gannon University head coach Jerry Slocum will be interviewed on Thursday. Strollo said once the interviews are completed, it will still be a few days before the new coach will be announced. "Once we make our decision after the interviews then we'll need a couple of days to do a complete background check, which is standard university policy," Strollo said. "We would probably announce the new coach by no later than next Wednesday. Better job "In spite of our record, this is still a much better job today than it was six years ago and we feel that one of these three coaches can come in here and do the job that's needed," Strollo said. "We've put over $2.5 million in renovations since the 2000-2001 season, with a state-of-the-art redesigned floor, two new scoreboards, expanded press-row seating and entire new sound system," Strollo said. The renovations also have included increased staff locker room, newly designed players locker rooms and new lighting to the north and south lobbies as well as the new Coaches Court Room. "This is something that I've worked very hard on, but it was something that needed to be done," Strollo said.